Judge Field recognized this when, in being advised to arm
himself in case his life was endangered, he uttered the noble
words: "No, sir; I do not and will not carry arms, for when
it is known that the judges of the court are compelled to arm
themselves against assaults offered in consequence of their
judicial action it will be time to dissolve the courts,
consider the government a failure, and let society lapse into
barbarism." That ringing sentence has gone to the remotest
corner of the land, and everywhere it has gone it should fire
the American heart with a proud resolve to protect forever the
sanctity of our judiciary.
Had not Neagle protected the person of Judge Field from the
assault of a dangerous and violent ruffian, apparently intent
on murder, by his prompt and decisive action, shooting the
assailant down to his death, it is certain that other brave
men would have rushed quickly to his rescue; but Neagle's
marvelous quickness forestalled the need of any other's
action. The person of one of the very highest American judges
was preserved unharmed, while death palsied the murderous hand
that had sworn to take his life.
That act of Neagle's was no crime. It was a deed that any and
every American should feel proud of having done.
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